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An immediate closure of sheep hunting adjacent to Kluane National Park, Sheep Mountain, is in effect August 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017, unless otherwise determined through a revision of this closure.

The closure includes the portion of Game Management Subzone 5–21 bounded on the north by Congdon Creek (km 1666), the south by Slims River Bridge (km 1648), and the eastern boundary of Kluane National Park.

This closure is an urgent measure to facilitate conservation of the Sheep Mountain sheep population. For more information, contact the Department of Environment.

Kluane First Nation Government is pleased to announce that the following citizens have been elected on the 2016-19 KFN Council:

Robert James Dickson, Chief (by acclamation);

Keith Johnson, Elder Councillor (by acclamation);

Monica Johnson, Youth Councillor (by acclamation);

Christabelle Carlick, Councillor-at-large;

Monique Martin, Councillor-at-large.

The KFN Council Election was called on August 17, 2016 following the Resolution passed at Special General Assembly held on the same day. Advance Poll was opened on Oct. 08 and the Election Poll was closed at 8pm on Oct. 21, 2016. Robert James Dickson (Bob Dickson) was acclaimed as the Chief on Sep.02, while Keith Johnson and Monica Johnson were acclaimed as the Elder Councillor and Youth Councillor respectively on Sep.09. In total there were 6 candidates running for 2 positions of Councillor-at-large in this year’s election.

In light of the potential Canada Post strike, the former KFN Council decided to use both Electronic Voting and mail-in ballot in this year’s election. For the first time in history, KFN citizens were able to cast their votes through the internet. The KFN Election Committee also hosted a Candidates Open House in Burwash Landing, Yukon on Oct. 08 and candidates had the opportunity to respond to questions and concerns from the community directly.

“Congratulations to the new Council. I look forward to all the great things that will be accomplished by this strong Council,” says former Chief Mathieya Alatini, who is currently running for the Yukon Liberals in the Kluane riding, “the former Council has laid a solid foundation for our Nation to implement the Final Agreement on many fronts, and I believe the new leadership will lead our Nation forward”.

Former Acting Chief Grace Southwick, who came to office after former Chief Mathie’ya stepped down on Sep.02, 2016 to pursue her political interests, extends her congratulations to the new Council and says, “The new leadership has rich experience and strong track record, and I look forward to working with them to ensure smooth transition of the leadership in our Nation.”

The newly acclaimed Chief Bob Dickson was the Chief of KFN from 1996 to 2007. “I am excited to be the Chief again, “says Bob, “the former Council has achieved many great things for the Nation, and I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to continue to advance our Nation’s self-government agenda.”

The new Council swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at 10:00am on Oct.22, 2016 in Burwash Landing, Yukon.

For more information, please contact:

Robert James DicksonChief of Kluane First NationTel: 867-841-4274Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yukon Liberal Party initiated this meeting to introduce their policy platform and to address possible concerns or questions from Kluane First Nation.

Sandy started the meeting by reiterating Liberal’s commitment to convene Yukon Forum with First Nation governments on communities’ priorities and forge partnerships with First Nation governments to pursue economic development and environmental protection.

When asked about how to keep their promises to First Nation communities they make prior to election, Sandy suggested that a lot of Liberal members are from First Nation communities, they are the community member/ advocates and they can ensure the community’s expectations are on the government’s agenda. They will also bring more rural perspectives to the government.

On infrastructure front, Sandy believed it is not about building facilities such as continuing care centre, health centre or school only, but also to build a community, where the community members can stay in their community and do not have to move to Whitehorse or other community for certain services.

KFN Council was also concerned about Liberal’s mining policy. Sandy did not think the current government’s mining policy is working, and he elaborated his point by referring to the partnership between Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and the mining company Kaminak, where First Nation government has its own expectations and plans when it comes to economic development opportunities, but Yukon government did not listen to the community or support them. With regard to the concern about clean-up costs left behind by mining companies, Sandy confirmed that companies have to pay reclamation deposit on time and they will be shut down if fail to do so.

When asked about Yukon’s economic forecast, Sandy shared the Conference Board of Canada’s forecast for Yukon’s economy in 2017, which is expected to be worse than the other two territories. He then advised that though there are factors that are beyond control such as world commodities price, Liberal government will work with First Nation government on developing industries such as mining and agriculture, and exploring opportunities through various channels such as trade shows along with Chiefs to showcase that Yukon is open for business.

On the question of what benefits would come from federal liberal government if Yukon Liberals wins the territorial election, Sandy advised that he has been working to create a healthy dialogue with Ottawa, and whichever party in power in the future, he will keep the dialogue going to ensure Yukoners’ concerns and messages can get across. Of course, the like-minded goals and targets can be helpful when building connections and creating dialogues.

Sandy also took the opportunity to introduce Yukon Liberal’s policy platform on other subjects such as land use planning, citing Eagle Plains as an example. He reiterated that as long as the First Nation communities are on board, the government should respect the decision and the democratic process. They will also remain open to different opinions and feedback from communities and opposition parties.

I am writing this submission on my last day as Chief of Kluane First Nation. Looking back on the past 6 years, I am astounded by the amount of work the staff and the community of Kluane First Nation have been able to accomplish. We have established and expanded our community facilities such as: the Jacquot Hall expansion and upgrade including a mould free daycare and infant playground, a quiet, clean library and a Youth/Elder room that has a spectacular view; establishment of a green space for our youth garden and place to play; a skating rink that can be used no matter how hard the wind is blowing; a new playground in the Copper Joe Subdivision. Using community labour we have constructed a four-plex, upgraded ditches and chip sealed the community roads and two new micro-homes are underway. All this was completed while our staff has been completing code and health & safety renovations on the majority of our housing units.

We have been trailblazers in the Economic Development front with the establishment of the two Corporate entities: Kluane Däna Shäw Corporation (KDSC) and the Kluane Community Development Corporation (KCDC). Many of the other Self Governing Yukon First Nations have been looking to our success and emulating our structures. The partnerships and joint ventures that have been developed have allowed our First Nation to scale an incredible learning curve. I would like to take the time to thank the Board of Directors for both KCDC and KDSC (which was the same board at one point) for the dedication and vision that they have to move our Nation closer to economic self-sustainability. The staff of the corporations have dedicated an incredible amount of time and energy to creating economic opportunities and putting them into effect. We have one of the lowest, if not THE lowest unemployment rate of any community in the Yukon and we also have the lowest Social Assistance rate. These are huge accomplishments that our Nation should be very proud of.

We are also one of the communities that have been leading the shift away from dependence on fossil fuels to more green energy options. The upgrade and expansion of our district heating system, installation of wood stoves in all housing units for safety and alternate heating source, the installation of solar panels on our municipal buildings as well as the four-plex, the drilling of our geothermal well for heating our new water treatment facility (construction 2017) and the greenhouse (construction 2017-18). Last but not least is the three 100KW wind turbines to be installed between Destruction Bay and Burwash (construction 2017). We are not under the impression that we will get off of the diesel generators but we will be able to offset the consumption of diesel considerably (ATCO Yukon may be limiting it to 50%).

Our proactive approach to resource management has extended into renewable and non-renewable resource management. The shocking low numbers of the Duke Moose surveys were the impetus for the Trapper Incentive pilot project which had the 3 objectives of getting trappers back on their traplines, creating and building a trapping economy locally and reducing the predators so that the moose, caribou and sheep populations were not so pressured. We are still the only First Nation in the Yukon that has ever jointly funded Moose and Sheep surveys with Government of Yukon and Parks Canada. The pilot project was so successful that it is now a program we fund using the dollars generated from the Special Sheep Guiding Opportunity auctioned at the Wild Sheep Foundation Auction held in Reno, NV every January. The surveys have helped create baseline information for responsible management and support the creation of the Kluane Duke Moose Management Plan by KFN, YG, PC and DKRRC – yet to be implemented.

With all of these amazing accomplishments that are visible within our community we have also done amazing things in the Government. We have implemented the Management Team to build capacity and broaden the knowledge base of staff within the organization. The amount of planning done with the community is incredible; we have a Phase 1 Land Use Plan for the community lands of Burwash and Destruction Bay & our lot in Haines Junction, a Phase 2 Land Use Plan for all Settlement Lands, and an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) that encompasses all of the strategic planning, infrastructure planning and governance planning that has gone on.

On the home ownership front we are waiting for the other Yukon First Nations to agree to a registry system and legislation that is enforceable or we use the Yukon Lands registry system. We have to complete our surveys and we cannot get any support on this until we have proven that we are able to collect rent successfully. This is a requirement for the FN Market Housing Trust and most banks that provide mortgages will require some sort of proof of continuous payment from the First Nation. This means rent on KFN houses has to be implemented.

On a social front we have an outstanding wellness team that is taking care of our elders, youth and community members. Our community is still dealing with the impact of two suicides and the assistance that the councilors provide to individuals, families and the community as a whole is immeasurable. The healing will continue with the love and patience for each other.

How to meet our citizens’ educational needs has always been a priority for us. In addition to successfully lobbying with other First Nations and education partners to ensure that our citizens are now eligible for the Yukon Grant funding, we signed an agreement with Yukon Education Department to construct a new K-12 School in Burwash Landing and our nation will be involved in the curriculum development and teachers recruitment for this new school. We are also communicating with YG and Yukon College aiming to establish a Yukon College community campus in Burwash Landing.

It is with mixed emotions that I say farewell. I believe we have done stellar things as a team and the team will continue to do amazing feats. My wish is to be able to support KFN initiatives and those of the Kluane region as your next Kluane MLA.

Starting from April 2016, Kluane First Nation students are now eligible for the Yukon Grant in addition to other sources of funding. Yukon Grant application forms are available at the Kluane First Nation Education office or on line at: www.yukonstudentaid.com.

Eligible Kluane First Nation students must apply for the Yukon Grant. KFN students who are not approved by the Yukon Grant may apply for KFN financial assistance to meet their educational needs.

KFN government will no longer provide top-up funding to those who are approved by the Yukon Grant. If you have any questions, please contact KFN Education Coordinator at 867-841-4274 ext.253, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..